244 On Cell Life. [ April, 
nerve-threads go without interruption hence to the muscles. On 
the contrary, there are placed between the periphery and the great 
cerebral hemispheres, as mentioned already, a lower authority of the 
bureaucratic mechanism. This is the accumulation of ganglion- 
cells in the spinal-cord and mid-brain. Especially in this last 
part of the nervous system, and in the so-called ‘medulla oblongata,’ 
in the places where the great nerves of sensation flow in, there are 
masses of cells representing the highest executive officials. Here 
the raw materials of sensation are arranged. Here the scraps of news 
out of the various provinces of the kingdom—that is to say, the 
sensations from the various authorities on feeling—are brought 
together and are worked up into abstract conceptions, which are 
then delivered to the higher body corporate. This finally deter- 
mines what is to be done in consequence. If a resolution is here 
carried by a majority, these powers immediately give directions to 
the subordinates, without entering into details. The resolution is 
merely a sign addressed to the lower authorities, who then elaborate 
the details of action and operate upon the nerves distributed to the 
muscles. For example, a determination is made when in great 
pain to pronounce a certain word: to effect this, a complex series of 
movements are necessary, for which purpose a certain number of 
muscles are disposed consecutively. ‘There must therefore be a 
number of motor impulses sent from the brain along various lines 
of nerves ; but these motor impulses do not proceed as such from 
the great cerebral hemispheres, where the resolution is first made. 
From thence only a simple sign is given, which is at once 
understood by the wonderfully trained subordinates. These officials 
are the groups of cells in the medulla oblongata, from them arise the 
motor nerves of the respiratory apparatus and of the tongue. Here 
the mandate, indicated by a sign, becomes methodized into various 
single orders, and now the winged messages go here and there 
along the various motor lines, conveying the fiats of authority. 
The inferior authorities of our bureaucratic mechanism rejoice 
in the possession of a certain amount of independence. For example, 
there 1s that group of cells which is related to the mechanism of 
respiration. They are continually sensible of the necessity of 
ventilation for the blood, and thereupon determine to set the 
bellows in action, more or less quickly, according to the require- 
ment. Most probably the brain receives information of these 
proceedings, because threads pass from the said cells to it. It can 
even take an active part in them, since we could form the determi- 
nation in our central consciousness to arrest the breathing. The 
servants, however, would not attend to such a selfish command 
on the part of the supreme power. 
The subordinate powers can also act independently upon 
external impulses. Let us take the effect of ammonia on the 
